Review – Page 5 – Met Afrika Online goed georganiseerd naar het land van keuze

Leonie,

Here is the travel report.

In December 2010, we took a fantastic trip to South Africa! A country that, after three weeks, can be summarised for us as follows: “South Africa is a world in one country”.

There are plenty of ways to make the journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. We asked several people for advice and incorporated their suggestions here and there into what ultimately became our final itinerary; by car from Johannesburg to Kruger Park via Pretoria. Then, we'll visit the Panorama Route, travel through Swaziland to the St Lucia area, the beach near Durban, and then fly from Durban to Cape Town, from where we also saw and did a great many wonderful things.

Our focus during these three weeks was therefore really on Kruger Park and its surroundings, and Cape Town and its surroundings. In our opinion, a good choice; around Cape Town (think of: Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch, Hermanus, Robben Island, Table Mountain etc.) there is enough to see and do, but also around Kruger Park (think of: the Panorama Route, the journey to St Lucia via Swaziland, a visit to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Greater St Lucia Wetlands, and the beach near Durban).

The highlights of our trip:
Kruger National Park
Blyde River Canyon, surroundings of Kruger Park
– Carols by Candlelight – Kirstenbosch, Cape Town (takes place a week before Christmas)
– Visit to Khayelitsha township, Cape Town

The flights (including domestic flights: 1. Durban – Cape Town 2. Cape Town – Johannesburg) and car hire were arranged by ourselves. At the last minute (read: November 2010) we decided to have AFRIKA ONLINE book the accommodation. This was not a bad decision; Leony helped us in a pleasant, efficient, and correct manner with the adjustments to the accommodation to suit our travel itinerary, as well as with providing all sorts of practical and useful advice: Thank you for this!

The highlights mentioned above are just a few. There is much more to tell, and we have plenty of photos to share, but to really get a good impression, you simply have to experience it for yourself! For us, one thing is certain; South Africa is a wonderfully beautiful holiday destination!

Hans & Franny

For 4 years, a number of us football friends put some money aside so that in 2010 we could see the Netherlands play live in South Africa, but even more so, to visit the “real” South Africa in addition to the stadiums which, in hindsight, were unbelievably beautiful.
As we are members of the Orange Supporters Club, arranging tickets for the matches was no problem.
But beyond that, we, so to speak, wanted a bit more; everyone had something to report from their own circles and experiences, but there wasn't a clear picture of “what next!”

By chance, we were fortunately put in touch with the digital travel agency REIZEN@ AFRIKAONLINE.nl, where “a certain” Leonie is in charge.
From the very first contact, the programme finally gained some structure, with all sorts of ideas being exchanged back and forth (or rather, from us to Leonie), in which she particularly asked about our interests, “qualities”, preferences, possibilities, and any limitations. .
Leonie managed to offer us a polished programme for 3 weeks, during which, parallel to the matches of the Dutch team, we were able to enjoy a fantastic stay in South Africa.
Everything is arranged down to the last detail.

The guesthouses were all of very good quality, with the hospitality received being personal and warm everywhere.
The programme left room for regular, very tasty food, always reasonably priced and in places you wouldn't easily discover yourself!
All transport arrangements (apart from the flights) were perfectly synchronised down to the second... the van was always on time...

The safari in Kruger National Park, the shark cage diving in the Indian Ocean, a lunch at Cleopatra somewhere in the Drakensberg Mountains, Robben Island... the list goes on, it was all “simply” well organised.
And with any uncertainty, Leonie proved to be very approachable, even at weekends, and at less conventional hours...

One thing has become terribly clear: without this Leonie, whom we only got to meet on one of our last days, this trip would have looked very different.
We owe her a huge debt of gratitude for a fantastic holiday, which we look back on with great pleasure and which we are still thoroughly enjoying.

Because everything was so well organised, there was never any room for discussion or irritation, something which could easily have arisen with eight blokes, all with their own opinions and wills!!!

On behalf of us all, I want to sincerely thank you again, Leonie. I am convinced that this will not be the last time we are in contact!

Marcel de Ree.

Dear Leony,

Just back from our Namibia adventure, took some time to acclimatise (if that's ever fully possible again...). We saw magnificent things (what a beautiful, empty country), experienced absolutely nothing negative (not even a flat tyre, what a driver!), met incredibly friendly people, ate and drank well and so on.

We would also like to thank you very, very much for your help, work and tips. With one exception (Acacia Park in Otjiwarongo in particular), all the campsites were more than satisfactory: we had actually expected it to be a bit more ‘primitive’, but most of the time it felt like we were on safari with Hemingway or Hepburn... Next time we'll try a jeep with tents (lots of noisy rattling from the camper on the gravel roads) so we can go a bit ‘deeper’ into the country (either Botswana or Zambia ==> we're really looking forward to it).

The children were absolutely thrilled despite the arduous travel, so next time there can be a bit more...

So Leony: thank you very much!!!

Greetings,

Geert & Annick
Kaat Lien Floor

Dear Leony,

Thank you for your interest. We also thank you for the prompt and excellent organisation of our trip. Everything went flawlessly. The guesthouse was fine and the hotel was wonderful. We were picked up on time for the car, and it was entirely to our liking. We had a lovely and perfectly executed holiday.

As you indicated in your example trip, we also drove to Gorongosa National Park. If you've seen Kruger Park beforehand, this is an absolute let-down. The park is a long drive and there is virtually no wildlife. Furthermore, the park and the campsite are extremely expensive. Therefore, not highly recommended for future customers. This is most certainly not a complaint about your advice, but a practical tip.

Good luck with your venture!

Greetings.,

Hans E.

Hello Leony,

We've now been back for almost a month from our adventurous and restorative holiday in South Africa.
What first threatened to fall into the water because of the Icelandic ash cloud, we have had the good fortune to depart.

We can also tell you that we very much enjoyed this trip. We had very good guides, Mich and Charel, and a small but lovely group.
The nature was phenomenal and the trip very well organised. One small point perhaps was the first day. The hotel was very remote and we waited a bit in vain for news from the agency.

In the afternoon, we decided to organise a tour ourselves.
The trip will certainly remain with us as a beautiful memory, and even more so now that we can relive it through the photos and the World Cup that is currently taking place.

We would like to thank you again for the excellent service from you and the travel agency.
Word-of-mouth advertising will certainly do well, you can count on it!

All the best and perhaps see you later,
Rudi Wille and Ingrid Persyn, Belgium

Dear Leony,

It's very recognisable how the weeks fly by and we seem to be living by our diaries, which is why this answer has also taken its sweet time.

How contradictory to Africa; we won't need to tell you much about that as you know it inside out, but for us, of course, those were all new impressions. People live day by day there and everything is determined by the circumstances as they are or as they come your way.

Besides all the natural beauty and animals that were seen, we found the above to be at least as impressive. The attitude and friendly demeanour of many people who possess hardly anything, live day to day and accept their fate, gives you a new perspective on how (possibly too) well off we are and that does something to you.
I believe I can express this on behalf of everyone, as these have been the most impressive feelings during and about our journey.

We had two wonderfully lovely people as guides, namely Chris and Tinus, and in our opinion, that's an important factor in the success of such an adventure. The journey itself was a succession of special impressions and experiences; what a beautiful, wonderful, and colourful creation we've been lent. Approximately 6,000 photos were taken, so that says enough. The only critical remark one can make on this (with the experience to back it up) is that such a trip is incredibly intense and you spend a relatively large amount of time bouncing around in the car; so we will gladly take that into account for the future should we be fortunate enough to make more journeys.

In the attachment are three photos, and you can see and read more about what it was like at: www.vakantieafrika.hyves.nl

Thank you very much for your input in the preparation and a warm greeting from all of us;

Patricia, Martijn, Siska, Sjaak
Sliedrecht

Dear Leony,

The holiday was fantastic, in a word. Daily our thoughts still drift towards Africa. So much heard and seen in these countries under the guidance of two excellent guides.

It always resurfaces: a unique experience we wouldn't have wanted to miss!

Kind regards, Wouter, Els and Ruben Mout

Dear Leonie,

We had an unforgettable trip. Namibia has been a true discovery for us. Etymologically, the word ‘vastness' must have found its origin there, and one would almost believe that a creator exists. The hospitality of the people is immense, and can only be explained by the honest grandeur of the country.

Several times we have had praise for you. Everything went unbelievably smoothly, and we were constantly surprised. AfrikaOnline is a solid formula, which we will recommend to everyone. On my wish list is still the D.R. Congo, my birthplace, … definitely back with AfrikaOnline!

Thank you very much from all of us!!!

Pete
Moorslede, Belgium

Hi Leony,

We're almost home again after a fantastic trip! We had an absolutely wonderful time. First in Ethiopia to see our daughter Anne and to see how she lives there. Afterward, the safari in Tanzania, which was truly amazing. The variety in the parks, all the animals, the people, the brilliant driver/guide, the cook who served us delicious meals every time and was also a lovely person, it was all truly wonderful. Furthermore, we were incredibly lucky with everything we saw and experienced, and we also had a really enjoyable and relaxed time together.

The final week on Zanzibar was also very enjoyable and relaxing. The clovehotel was fine. Definitely recommendable. For instance, we had a bed that was 2.10m long, which is quite pleasant if you have a partner who is 2m tall. On the way north, we did the spice tour, and that was also an excellent way to do it. It cost us the least amount of time and money. The stay in the cottages near the lighthouse was also fine and wonderfully relaxing. We also did two different snorkelling tours there. One was a half-day trip and the other was a full day. That was also very enjoyable to do. The return journey via Dar es Salaam was also fine. There, we visited a few things with the driver/guide, which was also very nice.

Everything was very well organised. Each time, someone was waiting for us and took us to our destination. Very pleasant people. That made it a wonderfully relaxing holiday for us.
I would like to speak with you again in a few weeks. I will email you then, and I hope you will then get back in touch by telephone. I just wanted to let you know that we are very satisfied and happy with how everything was arranged and how it went. Anne is returning from Ethiopia in two weeks, and we are looking forward to that.

Warm greetings from Willemien and I hope you have had a good holiday period too.
Berkel en Rodenrijs

Yes, it was truly fantastic. Everything went perfectly and we didn't experience anything strange (except an accident on the R44 on Wednesday evening). It's a shame we had to go home again.

I can recommend Bartholomeus Klip to anyone. Truly completely different from the Stellenbosch region. Thanks for everything and until next time!!!

Anton

Hi Leony,

The trip was amazing. Everything was well organised and the accommodations were perfect. Avondroodt in Franschhoek in particular was absolutely TOP. The domestic flight also went perfectly and they weren't difficult about our luggage. The golfing was also well organised and we were consistently lucky with the weather because we did have some heavy rain now and then (actually at every destination).

The lodge in Kruger Park was also fine, but I think Chitwa Chitwa would have been a nicer accommodation based on stories and photos I've heard/seen from friends. We've been to Kruger Park before, or rather Timbavati at Motswari Lodge, and I thought that was of better quality. But we had a good time there and we did see all of the Big 5.

Thank you for everything, and if we come to South Africa again, we will certainly come back to your place and will definitely recommend your organisation to friends and acquaintances.

Greetings from all 4 of us (the Luijben family).,
Kim

Hello Leony,

Allow me to introduce myself, Wilma Adriaans. We travelled to South Africa in recent weeks, booked through you. I didn't involve myself in the organisation of the trip as Kim.

In Knysna, I personally found Manor House a bit stiff, and we also liked the Sefapane lodge less. On the other hand, the lodge that replaced Chitwa Chitwa was good, as the safaris were very good, the lodges were nice and spacious, but we still expected a little more from it. All in all, it was a super beautiful trip.

My question is this: we are certainly going to South Africa more often, are there other direct flights, for example from Düsseldorf or Frankfurt, with an airline other than KLM?
My thanks and compliments for the trip.

Greetings

Wilma A.